European citizens feel that the EU is overcoming the crisis and that their voice counts in the EU, while one in two is positive about the future of the Union. These are the main findings of the last Special Eurobarometer survey, a EU-wide survey that outlines the Europeans' perceptions of the current economic situation in the EU, their main concerns, as well as trust in political institutions. According to this survey, carried out in all 28 Member States in the second half of March 2014, optimism and trust are growing across the EU compared to the previous Eurobarometer of November 2013. 

 

More precisely, there has been a rise in the number of citizens who believe that the current situation of the European economy is good (33%, +2pp), as recovery in the EU is taking hold and the economy forecast to grow more robustly. In addition, in the last 18 months (since autumn 2012), there has been a sharp decline in the number of people who believe that the situation will deteriorate (– 15pp). Challenges remain, however: Nearly half of Europeans (49%) believe that unemployment is the most important issue their country is facing at the moment. 

 

Concerning trust towards the EU, findings show that this sentiment is on the rise (32%, +1pp) while at the same time 37% of Europeans believe that their voice counts in the EU compared to 29% in autumn 2013. Overall, 34% of European citizens (+ 3 pp) have a positive image of the EU compared to the previous Eurobarometer of November 2013. A negative image of the EU is shared by the 26% of European citizens.